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Google disappears torrent terms from autocomplete search results

But people able to type still get access to juicy stuff

Google has been true to its pre-Christmas word about getting ever so slightly tougher on copyright infringement by killing some terms users look up via its ubiquitous search engine.

The company said in December that it would play nice with the big name record labels, TV networks, and movie studios, by providing better protection against piracy on the interwebs.

Accordingly, various search terms and file-sharing websites have now been erased from Google's not-altogether spotless mind.

TorrentFreak reports that Google has killed terms such as 'BitTorrent', 'utorrent', 'torrent', 'Rapidshare' and 'Megaupload' from its instant and autocomplete services.

That's not to say that searching for torrents and P2P-related guff just got more difficult for would-be file sharers.

But the lazy, we-think-so-you-don't-have-to Mountain View algorithms that power its instant and autocomplete functions are now turning a blind eye to terms that music and film industry bods might be crying into their beers about.

Google said last month that it was working to stop copyright-infringing websites making cash off its AdSense advertising platform. So, despite the blogosphere's 'WTF' gasps, it's hardly surprising seeing Google somewhat languidly swing into action. ®